(A/N: Sunny is six years old in this one.)
Sunshine was sitting under the shade of a tree on the school playground, enjoying her peanut butter and jelly sandwich, and definitely not trying to invite any trouble her way.
Trouble decided it still wanted to find her, though.
A young rock troll with lavender skin and a blue bandana tied around his black hair approached her. "Hey, Sunshine," he said mockingly, "Did you make that sandwich yourself? You know, since you don't have a mommy to make it for you?"
It wasn't very clever, but it still struck a nerve. "Leave me alone, Chord," Sunshine muttered, turning away from him. That didn't stop him from noticing the tears in her eyes.
"Aw, did I make the widdle baby cwy," Chord said, pretending to cry along with her, "Why don't you run home to the family you don't have?"
"Stop it," she yelled, trying to walk away, but he still continued to bully her.
"You don't have a mommy, you don't have a daddy," he sang in a teasing manner, "You don't have a family, you're all alone!"
Without stopping to consider the consequences, Sunshine charged at the rock troll, shouting as she tackled him. Their classmates started surrounding them as they punched, kicked, bit, and strangled each other with their hair. Her friends were shouting for her to stop, some rushing to find an adult, while his friends were egging him on, chanting, "Fight! Fight! Fight!"
…
Hiding in her hair, Sunshine had run back behind the tree shortly after recess. Part of her was amazed that she had that kind of fight in her, but she was mostly embarrassed that she had acted so impulsively.
"There you are, Sunshine!"
She looked through her curtain of hair and saw Poppy running towards her. She had gotten worried when Sunshine wasn't waiting for her in the pick-up area, but luckily she hadn't made it too hard to find her.
Sunshine didn't dare retreat from her hiding spot yet, especially when Poppy quietly said, "Ms. Bloom says you got into a fight today."
When the young trolling didn't respond, she reached into her hair curtain and gently took her hand. "I'm not upset with you," she assured, "I just want to know what happened. That isn't like you, Sunny."
Slowly, she retreated out of her hiding place and leaned up against Poppy, sobbing into her chest. "Chord was making fun of me because I don't have a family," she cried. "My mama and daddy still haven't come for me. I'm all alone, and I don't have anyone to love me."
Poppy wrapped her arms around the crying child and softly caressed her back. None of what the bully had said was true; there were plenty of trolls that loved her more than anything else in the world. Poppy would know—she was one of them. She didn't have any answers for her regarding her parents' absence, though heaven knows she wished she did.
In any case, she did her best to cheer Sunshine up the best way she knew how.
Please Sunshine
Don't you cry
Please Sunshine
Dry your eyes
Rest your head close to my heart
Never to part
Little Sunshine
Sunshine slowly lifted her head to look at the Pop queen, easing into every word she sang.
Little one
When you play
Pay no mind
What they say
Let your eyes sparkle and shine
Never a tear
Little Sunshine
Poppy couldn't see it yet, but the corners of Sunshine's mouth were starting to lift in a smile.
If only your mom and dad knew
I know they must love you too
Until the day they behold you
Branch and I will be here to love and hold you
Deep down, she knew Sunny believed that. She knew that her and Branch were there for her, and always would be as long as she needed them.
From your head
Down to your toes
Sunshine giggled as Poppy tickled her foot.
You're not much
I suppose
But you're still precious to me
Sweet as can be
Little Sunshine
Poppy smiled as Sunshine hugged her back, thankful that her song had gotten through to the child. She assured her that she wasn't in trouble, but she needed to find a less violent way to stand up for herself should Chord ever bother her again. She also promised not to tell Branch about the fight, knowing he'd probably freak out if he knew.
"You are not alone, Sunny," she whispered in her ear, "Don't ever forget that."